How to Cope With a Bipolar Person

If one of your friends or loved ones suffers from bipolar disorder, providing your support can have an extremely positive effect on the recovery and treatment of the condition. Coping with a person with bipolar disorder can prove to be stressful and frustrating for the individual's friends and family. According to NHS.uk the condition causes the affected person to experience dramatic mood swings, ranging from an ecstatic mania, in which the person can exhibit wreckless and irresponsible behavior to severe depression, which can include suicidal tendencies.

Instructions

• 1

  Give the bipolar sufferer plenty of support by telling them that you are there for them if they need someone to talk to. Give the person plenty of encouragement, especially when it comes to undergoing any type of treatment aimed at managing or reducing the symptoms of bipolar disorder. In some cases you may also be able to help assist the treatment by monitoring the person's moods, accompanying the person to appointments and looking out for signs of a relapse. Always encourage a bipolar sufferer to seek professional help if they have not already done so. According to HelpGuide.org, bipolar sufferers generally recover faster when they have the support of family and friends.

• 2

  Prepare yourself to support the person through a long recovery, as bipolar disorder can take a long time to get under control and according to HelpGuide.org the disorder can prove to be a lifelong condition. Although the symptoms can be significantly reduced, the patient may undergo setbacks. Keep this in mind and try to be patient, understanding and calm if the person exhibits difficult behavior. Remind yourself that it is the condition that is causing these actions rather than the person. Avoid arguing with the person if the behavior is frustrating you, or telling the person to change their mood as this this something that the patient cannot control. In the case of severe symptoms alert a doctor or call 911 if the person becomes suicidal or violent.

• 3

  Maintain a stress-free environment for the person with bipolar disorder --- as well as the rest of the family --- whenever possible. According to HelpGuide.org stress can trigger mood swings in a bipolar sufferer. Offer to take on some of the person's responsibilities in whatever areas you can. Give yourself time to do something that you enjoy on a regular basis to ensure that you can relax and do not become stressed.